Simple Solutions to Brand Issues
Here are a couple of examples of brand-related issues that I could have simply let slide because they're "just videogame conceits." Certainly, you have no choice but to fall back on that in some instances (how else is anyone going to beat Hulk in a fighting game?), but I constantly challenged developers to always find a way. If they couldn't, I was there to help -- and the answer often lied in something as simple as a line of dialogue. Take these examples...
JUSTICE FOR JUGGERNAUT
Though many Marvel games had featured the Juggernaut prior to Shattered Dimensions, none had ever treated him properly -- in all cases, you pretty much just depleted his health bar like any other boss character. But as the saying goes, "NOTHING CAN STOP THE JUGGERNAUT!" -- and I was determined to make sure that character trait was finally represented accurately in a videogame. Unfortunately, the boss fight had already been designed, seemingly yet again a case of "beat him to a pulp" (though, to Beenox's credit, in the most interesting, epic way to date). Starting from scratch simply wasn't an option in order to ship the game on time. How to fix this?...
The answer: look both to the core of the character and the story conceits you have to work with. Shattered Dimensions' plot centered around retrieving magical shards of the Tablet of Order and Chaos across multiple parallel universes that, in most cases, powered up supervillains to be stronger than ever. But Juggernaut? He's already powered up by the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak...so what if his magical shard actually had an adverse effect, making him vulnerable?
That's the solution I presented, and no exhaustive gameplay revisions were necessary -- it's all explained away in one quick exchange spoken telepathically between Madame Web and Spider-Man:
Though many Marvel games had featured the Juggernaut prior to Shattered Dimensions, none had ever treated him properly -- in all cases, you pretty much just depleted his health bar like any other boss character. But as the saying goes, "NOTHING CAN STOP THE JUGGERNAUT!" -- and I was determined to make sure that character trait was finally represented accurately in a videogame. Unfortunately, the boss fight had already been designed, seemingly yet again a case of "beat him to a pulp" (though, to Beenox's credit, in the most interesting, epic way to date). Starting from scratch simply wasn't an option in order to ship the game on time. How to fix this?...
The answer: look both to the core of the character and the story conceits you have to work with. Shattered Dimensions' plot centered around retrieving magical shards of the Tablet of Order and Chaos across multiple parallel universes that, in most cases, powered up supervillains to be stronger than ever. But Juggernaut? He's already powered up by the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak...so what if his magical shard actually had an adverse effect, making him vulnerable?
That's the solution I presented, and no exhaustive gameplay revisions were necessary -- it's all explained away in one quick exchange spoken telepathically between Madame Web and Spider-Man:
- MADAME WEB: Fear not. The newfound power of the Tablet seems to be at odds with his Crimson Gem.
- SPIDER-MAN: So with great power comes great vulnerability? Hey, if that's the case, I'll take it.
ULTIMATE DEADPOOL VS. THE DEADPOOL PEOPLE WANT
On an even geekier note than the Juggernaut example, "Ultimate Deadpool" (as seen in this game) actually doesn't break the fourth wall and isn't funny -- the very thing fans want and expect when they hear the name. Knowing that in the comic Ultimate Deadpool -- SPOILER FOR A YEARS-OLD STORY -- appears to die but doesn't, I suggested the plot point that his apparent death knocked some screws loose and made him closer to the mainstream Deadpool everyone loves these days. It worked.
On an even geekier note than the Juggernaut example, "Ultimate Deadpool" (as seen in this game) actually doesn't break the fourth wall and isn't funny -- the very thing fans want and expect when they hear the name. Knowing that in the comic Ultimate Deadpool -- SPOILER FOR A YEARS-OLD STORY -- appears to die but doesn't, I suggested the plot point that his apparent death knocked some screws loose and made him closer to the mainstream Deadpool everyone loves these days. It worked.
Character Co-Creation
Shattered Dimensions required Beenox to expand the cast of villains in the 2099 and Noir universes, and I had the pleasure of writing their bios. This involved special consideration for what came before while also trying to feel very new. Here's one of such instance...
Hobgoblin 2099
Armed with cutting-edge Alchemax technology and psi-powers of unknown origin, Hobgoblin exists for no other reason than to annoy, irritate, distract, maim, and—if possible—destroy the Spider-Man of 2099. He flies through the Nueva York skyline equipped with nanofiber wings, throwing pumpkin bombs with the utmost precision.
If Hobgoblin's method of attack seems familiar, the mastermind behind his creation drew inspiration from historical accounts: As everyone knows, the Spider-Man of the Heroic Age often encountered enemies who assumed a “Goblin” alter ego and executed similar methods of hostility. Whether or not a real person exists within Hobgoblin's armor or if he is perhaps even a newly born creation of forbidden science remains a mystery.
Rumors within Alchemax go so far as to suggest that graves of past Goblins were dug up in order to obtain the DNA necessary to create Miguel O'Hara's newest adversary. These reports have never been substantiated…yet also never disproven.
Writer's Commentary
Armed with cutting-edge Alchemax technology and psi-powers of unknown origin, Hobgoblin exists for no other reason than to annoy, irritate, distract, maim, and—if possible—destroy the Spider-Man of 2099. He flies through the Nueva York skyline equipped with nanofiber wings, throwing pumpkin bombs with the utmost precision.
If Hobgoblin's method of attack seems familiar, the mastermind behind his creation drew inspiration from historical accounts: As everyone knows, the Spider-Man of the Heroic Age often encountered enemies who assumed a “Goblin” alter ego and executed similar methods of hostility. Whether or not a real person exists within Hobgoblin's armor or if he is perhaps even a newly born creation of forbidden science remains a mystery.
Rumors within Alchemax go so far as to suggest that graves of past Goblins were dug up in order to obtain the DNA necessary to create Miguel O'Hara's newest adversary. These reports have never been substantiated…yet also never disproven.
Writer's Commentary
- Beenox really wanted to create a new Green Goblin for their 2099 world—but one already existed in the comics, and his story was incompatible with the game’s own narrative. Plus…he didn’t look as cool. My suggestion: Make it a Hobgoblin instead! As most Spidey comic fans know, the Hobgoblin was created in the 1980s while the original Green Goblin was dead, and he became very popular.
- The origin is left intentionally vague, itself very consistent with original Hobgoblin’s unknown origin of many years. The insinuation he’s created from past Goblins adds a welcome connection to the popular “real” Spider-Man’s continuity.
Other Fun Tidbits
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DEADPOOL'S EASTER EGG: I suggested (and wrote most of) the Easter egg to the right, which takes advantage of Deadpool's fourth-wall-breaking antics. You pause the game, he makes fun of you for it.
WRITING AND EDITING: As with much of the game (probably most notably the Electro level), I helped touch up some dialogue, most of which was quite strong to begin with. A couple personal favorites:
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